Baby’s First Bath

The first few times you give your baby a bath can be a bit tricky, but you'll soon be a pro. Here's a how-to guide to bathing your baby.

Until baby starts getting down and dirty on the ground, a daily bath isn't needed. In fact, your newborn baby will only really need a bath two or three times a week — at first a sponge bath, until his umbilical cord stump heals (about one to four weeks after birth), then a baby tub bath, and eventually a tub bath, when baby can sit up on his own and outgrows the infant tub). There's nothing cuter than seeing a baby splashing in the bath, soapy suds dotting his chubby folds and dimples.

Benefits of bathtime for babies

Boosts the parent-baby bond. There's a reason why bathtime quickly becomes a highlight of the day, for both of you — it's time spent together, just the two of you. Taking care of your baby lets him know you care about him. Gaze into his eyes, kiss that yummy baby belly, count those tiny toes, coo sweet nothings, sing silly songs. Feeling your gentle touch and hearing your voice (no matter what you say or sing) will let your little one know how much he's loved.

Is a learning experience. Believe it or not, there's plenty to learn in the tub. Tickle your little one's senses by trickling water gently onto his tummy — he'll probably giggle with pleasure. Pour a little water near him (his wide-eyed gaze will let you know he's captivated), or teach him a lesson in cause-and-effect by showing him how to kick the water and create a splash. Just always watch to be sure he's happy and enjoying what you're doing. Don't forget a play-by-play as you wash him — name his little body parts as you suds them. He'll be learning a tub-full of words before you know it!

Soothes fussy babies. You probably already know this from your own bathtime experience, but nothing's more calming and comforting than a soak in a tub after a long day. Up the relaxation even more by trying your hand at infant massage afterwards. While most little ones love it, if your baby balks (he fusses or turns his head), don't sweat it — just cuddle instead. Pretty soon, you'll figure out what works best.

Induces sleep. There's even more reason to love bathing your little one — especially if you add it to your baby's bedtime routine. The warm water, the warm room and the warm feeling of being safe, secure and loved work magic and will put your baby in the mood to snooze.

If your baby's umbilical cord stump is still intact or if a circumcised newborn's penis hasn't healed, avoid tub baths altogether and just use your hands or a baby washcloth for cleanups. When your baby is ready to give it a go, find a flat surface — bathroom or kitchen counter, bed, even the floor, and keep washing up gentle and brief until he gets used to it.

Baby bath tips

Here are a few basic tips when it comes to bathing your baby.

Establish a routine. Whether you're bathing baby every night or alternating between tub time and sponge baths or quick washcloth cleanups, the routine will help set your baby's body clock (“Mommy or Daddy is giving me a bath — that means it's almost time for bed"). Reinforce the sleepy-time message by dimming the lights and keeping the noise and activity down after the bath is over.

You should, however, postpone the bath if your baby is hungry, grumpy or has an upset tummy — that wouldn't be good for anyone involved. And keep in mind that while bedtime baths are relaxing, it's fine if another time of day works better for you and your baby.

Gather your supplies. Have everything you'll need at your fingertips before you start (otherwise, you'll have to gather up your naked newborn mid-bath to fetch whatever you've forgotten). The essentials include baby soap and shampoo (or a product that does double duty), one or two cotton washcloths, a blanket, a plush towel or two, a plastic basin filled with warm water — and your partner or a friend or relative ready with the camera, especially if it's baby's very first bath. You may also want a clean diaper, clean clothes and diaper ointment or cream for after the bath.

Keep it toasty. Babies lose body heat very quickly — especially when they're naked — so make sure the bathing room is warm enough, between 75 and 80 degrees, before you get started (you can turn up the thermostat or steam up the room by letting the shower run on hot for a few minutes). Whether you're using an infant tub or a sink, fill it first with just enough water to cover the bottom of his body. Never put a baby in while the water is still running. The water temperature should be comfortably warm, so test it with your elbow or the inside of your wrist, since those areas are more sensitive than your fingertips.

Get a grip. Gently slide your baby into the tub, feet first, holding him securely with one of your arms under his head (use your hand to grasp his underarm farthest away from you) and the other supporting his bottom. He may be slippery as a fish, but you'll soon get the hang of how to hang on to him. Once he's in, avoid letting him sit for too long in water — it can irritate his skin, plus he might get chilly.

Soap up sparingly. Use a mild soap on his hands and diaper area when you're bathing baby. You can just use water on the rest of his body most days, unless he's really dirty.

Focus on his face first. Dip a corner of a washcloth or cotton ball in the warm water, and gently wipe one eye from the inner corner outward. Using a different corner of the cloth or a clean cotton ball, clean the other eye. Wet the washcloth entirely and wash your little one's face, especially around his mouth and under his chin where milk and drool can pool, and inside and behind his ears. (Never use a cotton swab to clean inside your baby's ears.) It's okay to use a little soap on your baby's face if necessary.

Wash baby's body. Dip the washcloth in warm water and wash your little one's neck and torso. Maneuver carefully around the umbilical cord if there's still a stump; it's okay to gently wipe away any crustiness around it. Next, clean under his arms and between his fingers. Be sure to get into those little creases and skin folds.

Go easy on the private parts. Use a soft, clean cloth, gentle soap, and lukewarm water to clean your baby's genitals. Have a girl? Wash the area from front to back, and don't forget to gently wipe between skin folds. If you have a baby boy who's been circumcised, wipe his penis clean; if your baby boy is uncircumcised, no need to pull back his foreskin. Next up: that tiny little bottom. Be sure to use a little soap for this part.

Try these tips when baby has graduated to a baby bathtub:

Shampoo his hair with a tear-free baby shampoo. If, of course, he has any; if he doesn't, wipe his head with a washcloth. Using water and a tiny bit of shampoo, lather your baby's scalp. Massage it with the pads of your fingers, including the area over the fontanelles (soft spots) on the top of the head. Don't worry — you won't poke through — just be gentle and it'll be fine. If your baby develops cradle cap, talk to your pediatrician, who may recommend rubbing a little mineral oil on his scalp and then gently wiping it off with a soft washcloth.

Rinse and dry. Use clean, warm water for that final rinse cycle, holding your little one football-style, with the back of his head cradled in one hand, his body draped along your arm, and his head over the basin. Fill the cup with water and gently pour it over your baby's head. Then pat (don't rub) your baby's skin with a soft dry towel. Be sure to thoroughly dry his bottom and any other areas where there are folds of skin. Chubby babies can have a lot of those!

Don't force it. If your baby absolutely hates being bathed in the tub, go back to sponge baths for a few days, then try again. He'll get the hang of it eventually.

Stay safe. Never leave a baby alone in or near the tub, and always keep at least one hand on his body at all times.

Follow these steps after bathtime is over:

Go easy on the baby lotion and avoid powder. That beautiful and ultra-sensitive skin doesn't need much, if any, in the way of lotions, oils or creams, though a little baby-safe lotion is okay. And avoid baby powders, which can irritate an infant's breathing passages. However if your practitioner has a good reason to recommend one (i.e. your baby has dry or eczema-prone skin), massage a hypoallergenic lotion into his skin, after first warming it between your palms.

Diaper and dress. Slip on a fresh diaper and dress your new baby in some clean clothes. If he needs a little soothing after his sponge bath, swaddle him in a blanket, then get settled in for a snuggle with your clean, sweet-smelling baby.

From the What to Expect editorial team and Heidi Murkoff, author of What to Expect the First Year. Health information on this site is based on peer-reviewed medical journals and highly respected health organizations and institutions including ACOG (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists), CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics), as well as the What to Expect books by Heidi Murkoff.